A/N: Thanks to all my readers for the helpful and kind reviews. I'm dedicating this chapter to Kiwi Anime who inspired me to write this story.

Chapter 19 Recovery

After leaving Jade's room, Erik strolled through the streets of Paris. The sidewalks were crowded with the typical Friday night traffic of boisterous young men who traveled together. Some of them were drunk and jostling their companions or adjacent pedestrians. As Erik strode down the sidewalk, a young man broke away from his companions, and stumbling, fell against him. The foolish fellow grabbed Erik's cloak, and tried to push close to the tall man's face as he loudly complained about the politics of France. Swiftly, Erik pushed him off, and the man's companions caught him without offering an apology. The group noisily continued onward, unaware that they had come dangerously close to a man who did not take invasion lightly. Fortunately, Erik was in a good mood and quickly forgot the intrusion.

He continued down the streets until he reached the park. There in the brisk October night, young couples were walking side-by-side along the lake, and occasionally stopping to feed the swans. They were touching each other, and speaking in quiet voices. He watched them for a few minutes before he turned away. The bitter emptiness that he often felt when seeing young lovers was strangely absent. Instead, there was an unusual calm.

Choosing a bench in the shadows, he watched the great, ivory birds float by. They too traveled in pairs as they glided together. He had always been fond of swans. Watching them often soothed his spirit.

As he looked out across the lake, he meditated over his visit with Jade, which had been unexpectedly agreeable. She had surprised him by inviting him to stay. He had anticipated that there would be fear or anger from his intrusion into her room, and at first there had been. But what had followed had been satisfying.

She had said little, but had listened well. He had noted her intense interest as he'd explained Dickens' writings. After awhile her face had softened, and her eyes had taken on the dreamy look that he'd seen before. Erik had boldly looked into them and had enjoyed the contact. And she had seemed to enjoy it as well, not being put off by the intensity of his gaze.

At one point, he had realized that he was in the room of an attractive woman who was letting her guard down without his having previously manipulated her. She was readily responding to him.

As he recalled her feverish, naked body, the book he held wavered in his hands.

The rush of warm sensations provoked by that memory had signaled that it was time for him to leave. But before doing so, he had given her an unmistakable warning: she was not to return to work without his approval. He had decided to protect her from her tendency to overexert herself. He'd seen her push past pain and discomfort and ignore warning signs. She needed watching.

Earlier that day, DuChant had entered her quarters and Erik had watched their interaction from the mirror. DuChant had pressed her hard to betray him. In spite of the fact that she was vulnerable to her employer's demands, she had still refused to reveal what she knew. Erik had smiled as he had listened to her evasive answers.

Rising, Erik left the serenity of the lake, and walked back to the opera house. Tomorrow he would meet with Jules over the project he had commissioned on Wednesday. Jules would be able to tell him if the second party had agreed to his offer. If so, they could start the project in the next week. Erik was eager to see the work completed. It would be a fine gift.

Stretching his legs, he picked up the pace. He had pent up energy that needed to be released, and a vigorous exercise session on the ropes above the stage was exactly what he needed.

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That evening, Manette arrived home late. After hanging up her cloak, she went to the kitchen to prepare supper and tomorrow's meals. In the next few days she would be spending extra time at the opera house helping her friend, and she wanted to be sure her husband had something for Sunday dinner.

Earlier that evening, Manette and Pierre had discussed what should be done for Jade. Pierre had wanted to take her to his mother's home in his village. He was trying to get Manette's support for his plan, and had asked that she speak with Jade on his behalf.

Thinking of Pierre, she smiled as she rolled out the piecrust. He was a charming man who was sincere and intelligent. She had liked him immediately. He seemed perfect for her friend.

Although she didn't want to interfere with their relationship, the thought of Jade taking a long trip to the countryside to stay with a stranger had made her form her own plan. She would speak with her husband tonight and enlist his help.

As she prepared for bed, she approached Jean on the subject.

"Jean, I've had another thought about what we could do to help Jade. What do you think of her coming here and staying with us for the next week, until she is strong enough to manage again on her own? I can clear out the sewing room, and make a bed for her there. I believe it would only be for a week, no more. If you agree, I can speak with her tomorrow." Her eyes met her husband's through the reflection of the mirror on her vanity stand. He was in bed watching her as she brushed her hair out for the night. It was at such times that he was the most agreeable to her ideas. She was wearing a nightgown that she had recently bought that partially revealed her breasts. Her large lustrous eyes sparkled in the light as she looked over her shoulder, and gave him an inviting smile.

Jean watched her as she walked to their bed, and he swept the covers aside for her. He was eager to feel her soft curves pressed against him. They were still very passionate with each other even after several years of marriage. She was a beautiful woman, and he counted his blessings each night they were together. He found it hard to deny her anything.

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It was early Saturday morning, and Pierre was sitting in Jade's room. In a few minutes he would have to leave and go to the market. He had spent the last half hour trying to convince her to leave Paris with him in the afternoon.

He leaned forward as he spoke. His dark brown eyes were fixed on hers with a pleading look. Jade, show some common sense! he thought with frustration. She was looking up at him with a damnable calmness that told him he was losing.

"Jade, this is a drafty and cold place and the air of Paris is dirty and unwholesome. The countryside would be much better for you at this time. I promise we'll return as soon as you wish."

Jade listened to him but she had already made up her mind. It was a shame, because she wanted to go. Yesterday he had seen the state she was in, and had once again instinctively done the right thing for her. She knew that she would be safe with him.

But Erik had forbid her to go outside, even for a short trip to the café. The trip to Pierre's home would take hours and she would be exposed to the elements. As much as she would have enjoyed spending the time with Pierre, she trusted Erik's judgment more. He seemed to have a good sense of medical matters.

She needed to rely on someone else's sound judgment. She'd had a terrible week in which her common sense had repeatedly failed her. That morning she'd thought about the errors she had made that had led to her illness. It was amazing how foolish she'd been!

Maybe her lapse in judgment was due to the nightmares that were damaging her sleep. Or maybe it was caused by the ongoing doubts she'd had about her sanity since last Sunday. Whatever the reason, she'd realized that she needed to accept the advice of another.

Jade placed her hand over Pierre's. He's a dear friend and wants what's best for me, she thought.She knew that he was attracted to her, but he hadn't pressured her to return the feelings. She had never known a man who was as patient and kind as he.

Except for Jean-Luc.

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Jade spent the rest of the day feeling restless. Reading the book had helped, but not enough. Her room was too small. She longed to be walking and moving, either outside or in the opera house. However, she felt incredibly weak. She had tried walking the hallway but the activity had winded her, and forced her to stop.

One of the errand boys had brought her another chair for her room. The rash of visitors to her room the previous day and Erik's mocking words had helped her see the necessity.

Erik.

He had said that he would be checking on her. She needed to get that bolt for her door.

Jade had been in an extraordinary state of mind last night. She had actually invited an intruder to stay with her and visit. It had been fortunate that he had acted rationally and like a gentleman. He could just as easily have behaved badly and then what would she have done?

Rising from the bed, she went to her wardrobe where her breeches hung. There she pulled the leather to her nose, and inhaled the odors from the stable as she eyed the cashmere cloak. A moment later when she strode across the room, her knees buckled. Grabbing the table to keep her balance, she thought, this is so frustrating! Damn this weakness!

Lowering herself on to the chair, she stared at her useless legs until the tin of sweets caught her eye. As she recalled her offering it to Erik, she suddenly wanted to fling it at the mirror and hear the glass shatter.

He was using her weakness to his advantage! He was intrusive, manipulative, and determined to have contact with her. All in all, someone you did your best to avoid.

She analyzed his behavior. He crept around at night, came into her locked room, and hid his face behind a mask. He was also responsible for murder and mayhem, not to mention his obsession with a former diva. He was dangerous and proximity to him could mean disaster. Already her association with him had threatened her relationship with her employer.

Why do I keep thinking about him?

Perhaps she should go to the countryside with Pierre. Health concerns or not, it was probably a wise choice considering what she was dealing with here.

Jade looked into the mirror. The black under her eyes was fading, and the haggard look was nearly gone.

If I leave, how will I repay him?

Exiting her room, she forced her legs to try again.

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Manette departed for her home, and Jade restlessly watched her go. She envied Manette's freedom. She could come and go as she pleased whereas Jade was trapped in her room.

She was considering Manette's proposal. At least at Manette's home she would be able to look out the window and see sunlight. Her room had become a prison.

Leaving her room, Jade walked along the corridor until she reached its end. Then she pressed on through the next hall to the staircase beyond. Descending the stairs was easy but going back up was like climbing a mountain. She had to stop halfway to catch her breath. When she reached the top her chest ached and her legs gave out. As she sat on the floor with her back slumped against the wall, she rested. After several minutes, she pulled herself up, and made it halfway down the hall before she collapsed again.

The corridor stretched out in front of her, and she felt dwarfed by its interminable length. Gritting her teeth, she tensed her muscles as she prepared to drag herself on her hands and knees.

She felt him before she heard him—his strong hands were around her waist. She was suddenly picked up, and in his arms as he quickly strode towards her room. His pace didn't falter, and she wondered if he even noticed her weight. Then she was in her room and tossed onto her bed.

Erik shut the door, and then spun on his heel and faced her. He was furious with her. She could feel his anger, like a hot poker to the flesh. She knew that she had inadvertently broken one of his rules, and that he was probably about to punish her.

Too weak to get around him, she stayed on the bed, and stared across the room at her tormentor. How dare he pick me up like a sack of potatoes and fling me on my bed? I would have made it back on my own. I won't let him control me!

They glared across the room at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

Erik began to move slowly towards her like a wild animal stalking prey. He hadn't gotten far when the book hit him in the shoulder. The horseshoe followed and glanced off his forehead. The blow caused him to stagger forward as he reached out to grab her. She slid out from under him and was at the door.

Standing in the hallway just outside her room, she stared back at him through the open door. She held her head low and watched him from beneath her brow.

He stared back at her and hid his astonishment. A moment ago she could barely crawl and now she's flinging objects at me. Where the hell did that horseshoe come from?

The sudden rage quickly faded as he saw her standing in the hall. With her head down, she looked like a determined, frightened young bull, and he berated himself. He had come here to help not hurt her. Yet there she was, too frightened to enter her room.

Erik picked up the book from the floor, and sat at the table. As he looked away from her, he noticed that the book she had tossed at him was 'A Tale of Two Cities' and not her precious 'Jane Eyre.'

Jade watched him for several minutes. Her muscles were shaking, and she was steeling herself against collapse. Slowly, she walked back into the room, and closed the door behind her. She inwardly grimaced at the thought of shutting herself in with him but she needed to face him and not run away.

Warily, she leaned against as she stared at him.

Erik closed the book and turned to her.

"Jade, please come and sit over here at the table. I promise that I will be a gentleman."

All right, she thought. But gentlemen have been known to behave badly when given the chance.She walked to the table, and took a seat across from him.

The anger was gone from his face. She looked into his eyes, and waited for him to speak.

"You must understand that when I found you exhausted in the hallway, I was angry that you had disobeyed me. I told you not to overexert yourself."

"No, Erik," she flashed back. "You told me not to work or to go outside for a least a week. I was building up my strength by exercising. I simply misjudged the distance."

His mouth tightened, and he gave her a penetrating look. "Lately you have been doing that quite a bit, misjudging."

Looking down, she refused to meet his eyes. He's correct. But that doesn't give him the right to control me, she thought.

Erik sighed.She was stubbornly turning away from him. He needed to use another approach.

"Jade, I will try not to lose my temper, if you will try not to overexert yourself. Agreed?"

She looked up at him. He sounds reasonable, she thought.

She studied his face. When he didn't look stern, his face was attractive, even handsome. He was older than she, probably somewhere in his thirties. She liked him better like this, when he was coaxing instead of threatening.

"Agreed," Jade replied. Lifting her chin she held his gaze.

Erik got up to leave. As he walked away, Jade realized that he had again helped her, albeit roughly. She had reacted partly in self-defense but also out of anger at his controlling ways. After their exchange, she was feeling guilty that she had wanted to hurt him.

Before he opened the door, she called out to him. "Erik."

He stopped, and partially turned his head so that only the masked side of his face showed.

"I am sorry if I hurt you."

The cold mask stared back at her for a moment, and then he was gone.